Getting Back to Normal
"How was your day?" asked Zelda.
They were sitting together for a few quiet minutes before they were to dine in the Great Hall. Severus had come in, tossed off his robes and sat down next to her, placing her legs across his lap.
"Long and irritating but productive," he replied. "Draco told me on the way down here about his future plans."
"He seemed hopeful after he talked to Michael this morning," she said. "What do you think?"
"His father would murder him painfully if he learns about it, so we must hope he's never released from Azkaban," said Severus. "I'm surprised but rather hopeful. He has the intellect for such a profession."
"I'm glad Draco's found a goal to work for," she said. "I hope Harry finds something he'll enjoy too."
"I'm tired of discussing students," he told her. "How are you, my girl? You're not going to give birth tonight, are you?"
"No. I think it won't be too long, but not tonight."
"Good. Now that the students are being dealt with by professionals, I'd like to spend more time with you," he said, running a hand along the legs lying over his.
Her smile warmed his heart, making him smile at her in response.
"You're a wonderful husband," she said softly. "I never imagined being married could be so splendid. I adore you."
Severus flushed slightly, wondering if he'd ever be able to take her love for granted.
"When the school year is over, where would you like to spend the summer?" he asked. "I believe the cabin is most convenient for Lily and Elijah to visit, but you shall decide."
"The cabin sounds lovely. I loved every minute we were together there last summer," she told him. "But won't there be too many pests there for you?"
"They won't be pests, they'll be child minders," he said. "I want to be alone with you at times, so we'll make use of them all."
"How clever you are," she murmured admiringly. "Cynical and gorgeous too. Help me up so I can kiss you."
He did, and then she kissed him, saying, "Let's get dinner over with. I just need to use the bathroom and we'll go."
On the way out, she stopped and knocked on the guestroom door.
"Draco, it's supper time. Will you eat in the Great Hall this evening?" she asked.
The door opened and Draco appeared, looking slightly bleary eyed.
"I fell asleep. But if you'll give me a second, I'll come along."
He turned, picked his school robes up and flung them on. Closing the door, he said, "I'm hungry. Will Crabbe and Goyle be there?"
"They both attended classes today," said Severus.
"That's good," he replied. "May I return tomorrow?"
"If you'll rest periodically. Having had concussion myself, I must emphasize that time is needed to heal after you feel better."
People were approaching the Great Hall from all directions, creating a bottleneck at the entrance.
"Malfoy!" called Harry Potter, walking up to them with Ron and Hermione. "How are you?"
"Fine," replied Draco, shaking the offered hand with a smirk. "Are you sure you want to be seen with me?"
"Don't be an ass, Malfoy," said Ron irritably, also holding out a hand.
Ginny Weasley arrived on the scene in time to see her brother and Draco Malfoy shaking hands and grinned with wicked delight.
"I never thought I'd see the day," she told them, winking at Zelda. "We've come a long way this year, haven't we?"
"We're blocking the entrance. Everyone go sit down," said Zelda. "Crabbe and Goyle look like they're going to do a happy dance at the sight of you, Draco."
As the students dispersed, she squeezed Severus's arm. "That was adorable, wasn't it? They're all little friends now."
"Utterly nauseating," he replied, steering her toward the staff table, where there were two places between Molly Weasley and Professor Davis.
"Hello," Zelda said cheerfully, as Severus seated her next to Professor Davis.
"Good evening," he replied. "How are you today, Zelda?"
"Very well. You seem calm for a teacher whose students are a month away from final exams. Is everything under control?"
"Now that our school mystery is solved, I think we'll be fine," he said. "Minerva told me Potter, Malfoy and the rest refused to be publicly recognized for their efforts. That's quite remarkable."
"Really? It doesn't really surprise me that Harry would shun the spotlight, but what reason did they all give?"
"It seems they discussed it and decided they didn't want to be public heroes if it meant their classmates who stayed here and are making restitution would look like criminals. It was very thoughtful of them," replied Professor Davis.
Severus heard enough to feel reluctantly impressed, and then turned to Molly.
"Have you decided whether or not you'll return next year?" he asked quietly.
"I'll be back," she replied, looking pleased. "Minerva wishes to finish with Ginny's class next year, but I'll teach the sixth year N.E.W.T. classes and then the following year I'll take all the Transfiguration classes."
"If you're able to please Minerva at teaching her coursework, I'm impressed," he told her. "Have you found your calling, then?"
She smiled comfortably and said, "It seems I have. When I was a student I never imagined returning to Hogwarts as a teacher, but it feels natural. Arthur is very supportive and says as long as we can have our holidays at home in the Burrow, he's happy to live here at Hogwarts with me. I'm very lucky."
"I've noticed you and Arthur often skip meals here," said Severus. "Zelda and I are grateful for that example."
"Minerva's wonderfully accommodating," replied Molly. "Have you decided whether you'll return next year?"
"I've been opposed to it, because I worry about Zelda's safety, but Minerva has said she'll wait a while longer. I have enough to worry about right now, considering Zelda's condition," he said in a low voice. "She says not tonight, but I believe it'll be soon."
"I'd love to be a babysitter any time. I enjoyed the time when my own were small," she said wistfully. "Merlin, Severus, do you ever think how different things were just one year ago? At times I feel disoriented."
"I know it," he replied. "I didn't expect to be alive now, which makes life itself feel shocking."
"I'm grateful every day that so many survived and our society seems to be entering a stable period. I'm not fool enough to think we'll all live happily ever after, but life feels good," said Molly.
Severus glanced beyond Molly and saw Professor Sinistra staring intently at him. He sneered, deciding whether or not to count the days until the end of the school year, when she'd be leaving Hogwarts. Of course, Sinistra herself was unaware of this, believing Severus had told no one else of that revolting moment when she'd bested him.
"How are you, my girl?" he asked Zelda, discreetly checking to see if she'd eaten.
"I ate," she said mockingly. "But this chair is torturing me, so I hope we can go downstairs soon."
Severus glanced down the table to Minerva and indicated they were leaving. She nodded, knowing they'd meet in the morning.
"We'll go now," he said, saying a brief farewell to Molly and Davis.
As they headed downstairs, Zelda said, "She was staring at you again. This is increasingly irritating, you know."
"She's pathetic," said Severus. "Don't let her disturb you."
He opened the door and ushered her inside. Draco would spend one more night in their spare room, although Severus was no longer worried about the boy. So they wouldn't be alone this night.
A Patronus approached him before he could close the door and he snorted.
"What?" asked Zelda.
"Malfoy is bringing guests back. That was Potter, of course."
A crowd of students entered the corridor with Draco in the center. Zelda smiled cheerfully at the sight of them. There were Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, Crabbe and Goyle. She recognized that this particular mix of Slytherins and Gryffindors was remarkable.
"May we come in and talk with Draco for five minutes?" asked Harry innocently.
Severus glared, but Zelda said, "Of course. You can't stay too long because he needs his rest, but it's nice to have guests. Come right in."
She gave Severus a brief sidelong glance, her lips twitching. His sullen frown made her want to giggle as the crowd moved into the drawing room, where Rowena began sniffing them all suspiciously.
"Light the fire," she suggested to her grouchy spouse.
"You owe me a large debt for allowing this infestation," he hissed, pointing his wand at the hearth, where bright flames sprang up.
"I'll repay you as often as you like," she promised, her eyes twinkling.
Crabbe and Goyle immediately collected her. The pair wanted to discuss the following day's tutoring session. The three sat down a little apart from the others. Zelda had asked them to each choose an era in magical history and tell her about it. They were very excited about what they were planning to present to her over the last month of the school year.
Severus had reluctantly gone to speak with the rest of them in response to a soft request from Potter.
"We want to thank you for letting us deal with things our way," said Draco. "We're pretty certain Professor McGonagall wouldn't have let us do it, except for you."
"You dealt with it rather well," he replied grudgingly. "I hope you won't be sorry that they've been offered second chances."
"We won't, said Ron. "It all felt like more of what happened last summer, but we know the difference between Death Eaters and these kids. It sucks that Zabini's getting away with instigating the whole thing, but Michael can help the rest of them."
Severus nodded, unused to approving looks from this particular lot. Zelda joined them with Crabbe and Goyle, saying, "I need to go to bed, but you can all stay a few more minutes. It's the end of the big drama, isn't it?"
"Can Hermione and I talk to you for a minute, Zelda?" asked Ginny.
"Sure, if you don't mind coming into the other room."
So the girls followed Zelda into the bedroom and of course were completely distracted at the sight of the baby's area.
"How lovely," said Hermione, drawn by the pretty colors and little toys. "But you need a mobile. My baby cousin had one that fluttered in the breeze and she loved to look at it. Can we get one for you?"
"I'd love it," said Zelda.
"What should we put on it?"
Thinking seriously, Zelda suddenly chuckled. "How about little black bats? Ones with sweet smiley faces."
Ginny choked with laughter. "Bats?"
"The first thing a baby sees is contrasts, like black and white. And I love bats," confessed Zelda. "At Hogwarts I can get away with something this silly."
"Okay," said Hermione, feeling a sudden impulse to give cute things to Zelda's baby.
"But what did you want to talk to me about?" asked Zelda sitting down in the rocking chair and awkwardly removing her boots.
"We wondered where you're going to live when school's finished," said Hermione. "We don't want to be pests, but we want to see you sometimes."
Zelda laughed. "This summer you won't be pests, you'll be babysitters, if you don't mind. Severus and I are going to stay at the cabin. I think he's going to be pretty overwhelmed by the reality of the baby. We'll need a break once in a while."
"Will it really be okay if we come there?" she asked, relief written on her face.
"Of course," she replied. "I'm always glad to see all of you."
"But… Professor Snape…" said Ginny slowly.
"It's okay," said Mrs. Snape, her eyes twinkling. "Severus isn't a naturally social person and he grouses about my 'excessive socializing,' but he doesn't mind. Especially because, as I said, he's going to be stressed and exhausted by the baby."
"Babysitting is the magic word, then," said Hermione sagely. "Thanks, Zelda. We'll go, so you can get ready for bed. You must be tired these days. My aunt was exhausted the last weeks before her baby was born."
"I'm tired, but it won't be much longer, I think. Grab the boys on your way out, okay? Draco really does need another night of rest before he goes back to classes."
"Okay, good night," said Ginny.
Zelda was pleased to see them looking happier and even more pleased to be able to undress and get ready for bed. Moving slowly, she was all ready to climb into bed when Severus entered, closing the door firmly.
"Alone at last?" she asked innocently.
Severus choked back the nasty retort that threatened to burst from him, knowing she wasn't fooled. "I hope they don't plan on calling en masse any more," he said coolly.
"Poor Sev, get ready for bed and let me rub your back. You look tense."
"You're managing me. Don't think I'm unaware of it," he told her. "On the other hand, no one's ever rubbed my back before you, and it gives me great relief."
"You may manage me next time," she offered, smiling fondly as he magically hung his clothes in the wardrobe and put on the black bathrobe her children had given him for Christmas. He headed for the bathroom, looking happier.
When he came to bed, he took off his bathrobe and slipped in next to her, craving her touch and feeling smug, yet embarrassed by his need of her. This couldn't be disguised as lust, this was just his own pathetic weakness.
She frowned, having seen his thought. "Sev… I can't believe you're embarrassed. I know you're a guy, but everyone needs to be touched."
She brushed his hair back with her fingers, staring sternly at him for a second. Then she kissed his nose and snuggled against him, rubbing her hand over his torso.
"Our little secret," she murmured. "Now, roll over a bit so I can rub your back."
He controlled his expression as he obeyed her, wishing he could wriggle with delight like Rowena as her hands soothed and comforted him. He closed his eyes and succumbed to her touch.
"Feeling better?" she asked, feeling the tension in his back gradually dissipate.
"Perhaps too good," he said, allowing her to see the erection that seemed inevitable when she touched him.
She wrapped her hand around it and whispered, "I'll make it better, love."
She was as good as her word, and though he wished he could reciprocate, he allowed her to pleasure him. Deep contentment followed the resulting orgasm.
"I wish I could do the same for you," he said, gathering her against his chest and kissing her tender mouth.
"It won't be forever," she said. "After this I'll be at your disposal, day or night. Besides, I adore every inch of you, my sexy husband."
She kissed him again, turned on her side and he pressed against her back, burying his face in her curls.
"Good night, my darling girl," he whispered, putting his arm around her abdomen.
&&&&&&&&&
Zelda woke up very early, feeling a small body pressing on her bladder. Sighing, she got carefully out of bed and tucked the comforter over her sleeping husband. She headed for the bathroom, wondering if she'd worn a path yet in the floor between the bed and bathroom.
She studied herself in the mirror in the dim light of the early morning.
"I look fat," she thought dispiritedly, thinking of her thin and sexy husband.
Wide-awake and unwilling to wake him, she wandered into the sitting room.
"Dobby," she called softly.
The house elf appeared, looking bright-eyed and cheerful as usual.
"How may Dobby help Mrs. Professor Snape?" he asked.
"Do you ever sleep?" she asked. "No, never mind. Can you find me some yarn, knitting needles and maybe a crochet hook?"
"Of course! Miss Hermione Granger has all those things and Dobby is sure she will be glad to give them to Mrs. Professor."
"Really?" asked Zelda. "Okay, I can give them back later, but I can't sleep and I'd like to make something for the baby."
"Dobby will be right back!" exclaimed the elf, vanishing abruptly.
He returned with a huge sack that was filled with a huge assortment of yarns. Several different sizes of knitting needles were sticking out, and when Zelda opened the sack fully, she found a very nice crochet hook and had an idea.
"Thanks, Dobby. You're wonderful and I don't know what I'd do without you," she said as she sat down on the couch and chose some yarn.
"Dobby is happy to help," he said. "Would Mrs. Professor Snape like to have breakfast here this morning?"
"I'd love that. Maybe at about half past seven," she told him gratefully.
He disappeared again and Zelda set to work, gradually finding a rhythm and making quite rapid progress.
Severus found her there a couple of hours later and stood silently in the doorway, watching her. She was very intent and didn't notice him. Her concentration charmed him. Occasionally she'd frown slightly and adjust the reading glasses she wore as her fingers moved.
"What in Merlin's name are you doing, my girl?" he asked sternly. "I woke to find my wife missing and then I find you here, playing with yarn."
"I couldn't go back to sleep," she explained earnestly. "Then I thought I'd like to make a little afghan for the baby. Dobby found all these things for me. See?"
She held up the beginning portion of a baby blanket, soft spring green yarn intermingled with shining white. Upon closer examination he realized that the white was shot with shiny silver sparkles.
"Slytherin colors," he said with an ironic smile. "How absurd you are, Zelda."
Her fingers were still moving restlessly at her task as she said, "Dobby's going to bring us our breakfast at half past seven, but Draco planned last night to leave early and eat in the Great Hall. What time is it?"
"Seven o'clock," he replied, sitting down next to her. "I'm sorry I teased you. It's very pretty."
She looked up from her work and he kissed her.
"I have an appointment with Minerva at half past eight," he said. "I plan to come back to eat lunch with you."
"You spoil me and I love it," she said. "I'll see Crabbe and Goyle this morning, have lunch with you and then take a little nap."
"I'll get dressed and make sure Malfoy leaves," he said, caressing her cheek.
Severus took his time in the shower, looking forward to a good and productive day. He was very relaxed, a most unusual condition that he wished to savor. When he was dressed and ready for breakfast, he stood in the doorway and watched Zelda for a few moments. She was crocheting efficiently, deep in concentration. Suddenly she tensed, her breath catching, but a second later she began crocheting again. He frowned, wondering if this meant something.
"Still at work?" he asked softly as he approached her. "It's time for breakfast, my girl."
Zelda looked up, startled. "I'm not very hungry, but I think if I can work a bit longer, I'll finish this. See how much I've done? I should have started weeks ago and made lots of things."
Suspicion pricked in his mind, but he remained admirably calm.
"Sweetheart," he said, sitting down by her, "I wonder if your labor is beginning."